Atlantic Cape President Dr. Barbara Gaba Named the 2023 NCMPR District One Pacesetter of the Year Award Recipient

BOSTON, MA — Atlantic Cape Community College President Dr. Barbara Gaba was named the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) 2023 District One Pacesetter of the Year award recipient for demonstrating special leadership and support of college communications and marketing at the annual district conference Awards Dinner on November 3 at the Boston Park Plaza in Boston, MA.

“Early in my career, I learned the importance of surrounding oneself with a dedicated team of intelligent, intuitive and talented leaders. Nowhere is this more crucial than in our marketing and public relations teams,” Gaba said during her acceptance speech. “I want to express my profound gratitude to the NCMPR committee and the remarkable team at Atlantic Cape Community College for deeming me worthy of this award, which I humbly accept.”

Gaba became the ninth president of Atlantic Cape in January 2017 and the first female and African American president in the college’s 50-year history. Gaba has extensive experience in higher education and she is deeply committed to the mission of the community college to provide affordable educational pathways to ensure student success.

Prior to joining Atlantic Cape, Gaba served as Provost and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Union County College (NJ). She also served as Dean of Academic and Student Support Services at Camden County College (NJ) and Associate Director of the Office of Board Affairs and Government Relations at the New Jersey Department of Higher Education.

Since becoming Atlantic Cape’s president, Gaba’s accomplishments include improved campus technology and facilities upgrades; rebranding and enhanced marketing initiatives; launch of the new college website; revitalized community engagement projects; increased high school partnerships including articulations, dual enrollment and Early College programs in Atlantic and Cape May Counties; and partnerships with local counties to advance economic development in the region.

During Gaba’s 40-year career she has served as a teacher, researcher and administrator and has been devoted to working with underserved, underrepresented students, empowering them to attain a college education. She is student-focused, community-centric, and employee-oriented. Working to transform the lives of the students she serves—one student at a time—has been her calling. She strongly believes that it is the responsibility of leaders to use the power and influence they are given to lift up their communities and to create positive change.

“In my role as the president of an institution of higher learning, I have come to understand that one is constantly in the spotlight. The watchful eyes of many are upon us. That is why my mother instilled in me to always do my best work because you never know who is watching,” Gaba said.

As the 2023 District One Pacesetter of the Year recipient, Gaba will automatically become one of seven finalists for the national Pacesetter of the Year Award, which will be presented in March 2024 as part of NCMPR's national conference in Seattle, WA.

In addition to this prestigious honor, Atlantic Cape’s Marketing and College Relations Department earned 10 Medallion awards (three gold and seven silver) at this year’s conference. Here is a list of the awards received:

• Flyer (single or series) - Silver
• Notes/Cards/Invitations (single or series) - Gold
• Social Media Post - Gold
• Original Photography (unmanipulated) - Silver and Gold
• Government or Community Relations Campaign - Silver
• Special Event or Fundraising Campaign - Silver
• Successful Recruitment or Marketing Program - Silver
• Social Media or Online Marketing Campaign - Silver
• Excellence in Writing-Long Form - Silver

NCMPR is the leading professional development association exclusively serving those working in communication at two-year community and technical colleges. The Medallion Awards, held each fall during district conferences, recognize outstanding achievement in design and communication at community and technical colleges in seven districts.

NCMPR’s district one encompasses the community, technical and junior colleges in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec, and United Kingdom.

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape is a comprehensive two-year community college serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. The college offers over 40 career, transfer and workforce development programs to more than 8,000 students annually at three campuses in New Jersey: Atlantic City, Cape May Court House and Mays Landing.